My Own Private Idaho
I've finally had a chance to watch this movie which I've been wanting since I was seventeen. When I saw it where I usually rent my DVD's it's still out so I have to wait until it was returned. Anyways the wait was well worth it because the movie was awesome that is if you are an art movie connoisseur. It is a critically acclaimed movie and also a gay movie classic which definitely a must-have and must-watch for every PLU, just like James of the film Shortbus who inferred the former when he came out.
The movie centers on two street hustlers, Mike (River Phoenix)
and Scott (Keanu Reeves)
embarking on a soul search that takes them to Mike's hometown in Idaho (hence the title) and then to Italy in search of Mike's mother. Scott is the son of the wealthy mayor and claims he's a rogue and that he hustles mainly because he wants to rebel. Mike, however, is a narcoleptic gay and has no other means of support. They've develop a strong friendship that is tested by Scott's ambivalence to street life and his forthcoming inheritance, as well as Mike's budding affection for him.
One particular interesting scene in the movie which Phoenix re-wrote himself is the camp fire scene where Mike professes his love for Scott implicating that his character was gay whereas Gus Van Sant had originally made it more obscure. Scott did not take Mike's feelings seriously and married a girl. Reeves reportedly was uncomfortable with this aspect of the film. He said in an interview that although he is not against gays or anything he won't have sex with guys. That he would never do that again on film. Could it be that he is afraid that he would be taking it with him on the real life just like what happened to River Phoenix?
I've finally had a chance to watch this movie which I've been wanting since I was seventeen. When I saw it where I usually rent my DVD's it's still out so I have to wait until it was returned. Anyways the wait was well worth it because the movie was awesome that is if you are an art movie connoisseur. It is a critically acclaimed movie and also a gay movie classic which definitely a must-have and must-watch for every PLU, just like James of the film Shortbus who inferred the former when he came out.
The movie centers on two street hustlers, Mike (River Phoenix)
and Scott (Keanu Reeves)
embarking on a soul search that takes them to Mike's hometown in Idaho (hence the title) and then to Italy in search of Mike's mother. Scott is the son of the wealthy mayor and claims he's a rogue and that he hustles mainly because he wants to rebel. Mike, however, is a narcoleptic gay and has no other means of support. They've develop a strong friendship that is tested by Scott's ambivalence to street life and his forthcoming inheritance, as well as Mike's budding affection for him.
One particular interesting scene in the movie which Phoenix re-wrote himself is the camp fire scene where Mike professes his love for Scott implicating that his character was gay whereas Gus Van Sant had originally made it more obscure. Scott did not take Mike's feelings seriously and married a girl. Reeves reportedly was uncomfortable with this aspect of the film. He said in an interview that although he is not against gays or anything he won't have sex with guys. That he would never do that again on film. Could it be that he is afraid that he would be taking it with him on the real life just like what happened to River Phoenix?
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